AGC San Diego Chapter

AGC’s Monday Morning Quarterback is designed to give you a quick, to the point, Monday morning briefing on the important issues facing San Diego’s construction industry (posted on the website Tuesday). Monday Morning Quarterback is prepared each weekend by AGC Executive Vice President Jim Ryan and Director of Government Relations, Brad Barnum to insure that the information contained in Monday Morning Quarterback is “hot off the press.”

IBEW Local 569 Files Bogus Environmental Claim….Tries to Block A $716,000,000 Construction Project
By Jim Ryan
AGCSD Executive Vice President

Well…in case you were worried about global warming or other pending environmental issues….worry no more……Al Shur, the head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)….Jerry Butkiewicz the local head of the AFL-CIO, and Tom Lemmon, the head of the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council have stepped up and are protecting you!!!!

These three “environmentalists” have been “slithering” through the wetlands of Chula Vista in an attempt to make sure that the construction of Gaylord Entertainment’s proposed $716,000,000 hotel and entertainment complex in Chula Vista does not destroy the city’s environment.

Now…for those of you that have met Al, Jerry, and Tom…….you may be just a little skeptical!!!! Personally, their environmental “activities” in Chula Vista remind me more of the activities of three guys I met once in a Chicago neighborhood when they were collecting a monthly “tax” from a small grocer…another term for this “tax” was “protection”…and another name for Al, Jerry, and Tom’s activities could just as well be “protection.”

The environmental protection scam that they are offering in Chula Vista is best described in a February 1, 2007 Union Tribune editorial……

“….We’re seeing such a scenario unfold right now in Chula Vista. The IBEW warns of environmental devastation in Chula Vista if Gaylord Entertainment’s mammoth $716,000,000 bay front project proceeds. The union is backing efforts to use environmental impact laws to delay or block the project. Meanwhile, construction unions are warning Gaylord that it had better sign a project labor deal for the project. If you believe the IBEW’s embrace of environmentalism is unrelated to Gaylord’s interest in using nonunion labor for construction, we’ve got a floating airport to sell you.”

The Union Tribune is right. This scam is the same scam the IBEW pulled on the downtown ballpark project (Petco)They hire some lawyers that slither in from San Francisco. They file a very complex environmental impact statement that has the potential to slow the approval of the project by several years…if not kill the project…. and then they send in Jerry Butkiewicz to suggest that he can get the IBEW to pull the document if the owner signs a PLA for the project and does not oppose union organizing efforts for the staff of the completed project.

This protection scam worked at the Ballpark. The PLA was signed and Al Shur’s members were the only electricians to work on the project.

The Chula Vista scam that these three are involved with is an embarrassment to the construction industry…. both union and non-union, and to our county. Here we have a private owner that is willing to invest nearly a billion dollars in our community ($716,000,000=construction) and we have three supposed leaders of at least part of our industry acting like three small time Chicago thugs. Let me explain something Al, Jerry, and Tom….if the project is allowed to be built, the unionized construction industry will complete a fair portion of this project without the strong arm PLA tactics that you are using. You are risking having this owner simply move up the coast to another community to build the project.

Al, you have done a wonderful job with the IBEW training program…it is one of the finest in the United States…Jerry, you have been a strong supporter of Construction Tech and are considered a leader in the community…
Tom, you are new and just learning the business….but I can tell you PLA’s make the building trades you are representing lazy and hurt them in the long run…..anyway…..you should all be ashamed of yourselves….pull the environmental objections you have raised and encourage Gaylord to move forward with the project.

If you don’t, your only activity on the proposed construction site will be slithering through some rotting marshes…..where many citizens of San Diego County could have been working.

Lisa Wickstrom Named Editor of the AGC’s Daily Construction Reporter

Lisa Wickstrom, the long time manager of the San Diego Daily Transcript’s Plan Room has accepted the position of Editor of the AGC’s Daily Construction Reporter.

Today is her first day with AGC/DCR. Jessica Kovack will remain as the Director of Plan Room Services for the entire plan room operation. Lisa brings over 8 years of bidding information experience to the position and will be a strong part of the team that will help continue DCR’s dominance in reporting on projects out for bid or negotiation in the five county area.

As editor, Lisa will be responsible for working with DCR reporters located in the five county area to make sure DCR has the best information available. Lisa’s position will allow Jessica Kovack to focus on expanding the DCR Reporting in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange County. She will also focus on expanding the Planning Section of the DCR…an effort that will give DCR Readers even more information about upcoming projects.

Last Friday, the local construction industry attended a meeting of the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) Transportation Committee in the hopes of convincing the committee to oppose the California Air Resources Board (CARB) current staff proposal to replace 10% of off-road diesel equipment every year starting March, 2010 (as early as March, 2009 for fleets over 20,000 hp).

The proposal will have a tremendous impact on transportation and other capital works projects throughout California, and construction industry wanted to inform the Transportation Committee (elected officials and public agency leaders throughout San Diego County, including CARB Member and County Supervisor Ron Roberts), to expect local companies to go out of business, fewer contractors to bid work, and construction costs to rise.

SANDAG staff has been monitoring the CARB proposal for the past several months, and they have attended a number of meetings and workshops. With hundreds of millions of dollars of transportation projects ready to go out to bid in the coming years, SANDAG staff understands the severity of the CARB proposal. That is why it recommended an equipment fleet turnover rate of 20 years (instead of the proposed 10 years) and exemption until 2029 of equipment purchased with Carl Moyer funds. Both recommendations would assist the construction industry in meeting the new regulations in a manner that wouldn’t quickly choke the industry.

In an interesting turn of events, the SANDAG’s staff recommendations were withdrawn just days before the meeting, and the issue was docketed as an “information” item. Apparently, there is some concern that it would be premature to take a position…this is a statewide issue and not all stakeholders (i.e. environmentalists) have had a chance to come to the table. With that being said, let’s review Friday’s meeting:

· SANDAG provides staff report – no detailed report on impact to construction industry, but fleet owner’s ability to comply with target dates is addressed.

· CARB staff gives overview of program and need for timely compliance measures.

· Transportation Committee Members ask questions to CARB staff – the schedule and the discrepancy in costs to implement program, and the impact to transportation projects quickly become an issue. The $3-4 billion cost estimated by CARB vs. staff estimate of $14 billion is questioned. Industry estimate is $20-22 billion.

· Construction Industry Response – With time running short, eight speakers are given only eight minutes to speak instead of 24 minutes. AGC Board Member Mike Carcioppolo (Hawthorne Machinery), AGC’s Engineering Contractors’ Council Chair Scott Erreca (Erreca’s, Inc.), address equipment availability issues, and increased costs to Caltrans projects, respectively. Other speakers’ issues: loss of equity and loss of ability to bond; decrease in bidders; decrease in funds for capital improvement projects; and the strong possibility of unhappy voters if improvements are not seen in many of the local and state bond measures passed last year.

From the comments we heard from the Transportation Committee members (there seemed to be interest in extending the implementation timeline), and an offer from the Committee’s chair, San Diego City Council Member Jim Madaffer, to come back in the next few weeks, we are encouraged for a chance to return to SANDAG for a vote on the matter. However, time is short…there is an April 6 date looming for a final draft of CARB’s proposal and a May 25 Board meeting date for a vote on the issue.

With strong encouragement from the construction industry, CARB staff will once again trek to San Diego to meet with industry stakeholders. The meeting will be held at Hawthorne Machinery Company from 10 AM to 3 PM on Tuesday, March 27. This is likely to be our last chance for input to the final draft, so we strongly encourage you to attend. We also plan to invite members of the SANDAG Transportation Committee, so they can hear industry’s concerns first hand. A flyer for the meeting is attached. Seating is limited, so RSVP to Julie Christina at 858-64-7000 or at jchristina@hawthornecat.com ASAP.

Engineering General Contractors’ Council to Meet with SANDAG, Caltrans, and California Transportation Commission Leaders – All AGC Members are Invited!

On Tuesday, April 3, at 11:30 AM AGC’s Engineering Contractors’ Council will hold its first meeting of 2007. Scott Erreca (Erreca’s, Inc.) is the new chair of the Committee, which provides policy recommendations to AGC’s Board of Directors. Mike Furby (Marathon Construction) had been the Chair for the past few years – Thank you Mike!

This is a timely meeting, as the issues to be addressed relate to transportation funding. Special Guests will be Gary Gallegos, Executive Director of the SANDAG, and John Chalker, member of the California Transportation Commission. Pedro Orso Delgado, Director of District 11, also has been invited.

We will review the recent actions of the CTC to allocate $451 million of work on I-5, I-15, & I-805. The construction timeline for these and other projects (and the potential delivery methods), legislative actions pertaining to Proposition 1B implementation, sizing of projects, future funding needs, and an update on TransNet will be provided. Of course, we will continue to express our concerns of the proposed diesel emission regulations!

All AGC members are invited to attend this important meeting. We have attached a reservation form for you to complete and fax back to the AGC. We hope you can make it on Tuesday, April 3 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Lunch will be provided!

Today at 2 PM, the San Diego City Council will consider how much authority Mayor Jerry Sanders should have over the City’s budget. This authority has raised some questions under the new Strong Mayor Form of Government…of particular concern by some City Council members is the Mayor’s ability to make budget cuts without City Council approval.

With Mayor Sanders expected to present the Fiscal Year ‘08 budget next month, this issue needs to be resolved soon. In February, the council voted 5-3 to require council approval any time Sanders “materially and substantially” reduced, altered or eliminated community services. A second vote needed to approve the plan was put on hold while a compromise was negotiated, which would allow the mayor to reduce individual department spending 10 percent up to $4 million without council approval or public input.

If the original language is passed it will hamstring the Mayor's reform package, including his ability to complete many long delayed deferred maintenance projects and infrastructure projects.

Call to Action – Mayor Sanders’ Office has asked for our help! Please contact the following City Council Members and tell them to support the compromise:

AGC Affiliate’s Open House: Scheduled for March 30 at 11:00 at the AGC Offices:

The AGC Affiliate Council is presenting an Open House for All Affiliate Members, new and old alike! Find out what the AGC is all about and how you can help market your own business by becoming an active AGC participant. Hear from long-time AGC Affiliates and learn how they have benefited from AGC membership. Learn about the AGC events and how the Affiliates are involved. Receive information on AGC committees and hear how the education and training seminars can benefit you.

You joined the AGC, San Diego Chapter for a reason. Are you getting the most for your membership?

Come to the AGC Affiliate’s Open House on March 30 and find out what other Affiliates are doing.

AGC President Tom Anderson from Bergelectric and Sr. Vice President John Daley Jr. from Daley Corporation will be in attendance.

Complete the attached reservation form and fax back to 858-558-8444.

AGC member, RCP Block & Brick will be hosting the April 24 Mixer at Seau’s the Restaurant. As they did last year, RCP Block & Brick is joining together with their special vendors for this sponsorship. AGC attendees must pre-register by completing the attached form and faxing it to 858-558-8444.

Remember, mixers are great events to bring your estimating, purchasing and project management staff to mingle with others in the industry. Don’t forget to bring your business cards!

For additional information, contact Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8175 or see attached flyer

San Diego Construction Expo2007… Unveiling the Opportunities In Construction

Building Careers In Construction, Inc. (BCIC) will soon host its fourth EXPO - San Diego Construction EXPO2007… Unveiling the Opportunities in Construction. The EXPO will be held on April 28, 2007 in the west parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium. With many exhibitors already signing up, it is on track to be even bigger than last year’s monstrous EXPO2006.

For the past three years, BCIC’s expos have been some of the most successful construction industry trade shows in Southern California. Last year’s EXPO attracted over 5,000 attendees that were captivated by several large, innovative and interesting demonstrations put on by over 140 exhibitors including some of the country’s largest and most prestigious construction firms. Many displays were interactive and featured some of the newest construction tools, equipment and technologies. In addition, some exhibitors served hot dogs and hamburgers and some of the best barbeque and carne asada around… Thousands of dollars in prizes and giveaways were also given out throughout the day. It’s an effort you should consider getting involved with!

Why participate in EXPO2007?

Expos are an excellent way to market an exhibitor’s product(s) and/or services to its customers. And since EXPO2007 is mostly interactive, contractors, architects and engineers can see, feel and sample a product in a low-key, non-threatening, fun environment. It’s fun, educational and great way to exchange information. It makes the expo a very powerful event.

“We wanted to have an event that was unique to San Diego. Of course it had to be outdoors, fun and entertaining, but most importantly, it had to produce results,” says Mike Caples, Executive Director of Building Careers In Construction, Inc. “Well over 5,000 attended last year’s expo and the exhibitors declared that Construction Expo2006 was a huge success!!”

Caples adds, “It was like a giant tailgate party for the construction industry! The parking lot was full and everyone was there.”

Platinum sponsors of this year’s expo already include the San Diego Chapters of the Associated General Contractors, the Associated Builders and Contractors, Masonry Industry Training Association, National Electrical Contractors’ Association, and Flat Iron Corp-Southern Division, the San Diego Apprenticeship Coordinators Association, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Gold Sponsors include: Anderson Drilling, the Raymond Group, CalPASC-San Diego.

Last year, BCIC added a new component… Expo under the Stars. It was a huge industry-networking mixer for ALL San Diego construction industry trade association’s members! Guests enjoyed complimentary food, beer, wine and entertainment under the stars at the expo site at the “Q”. You could even take a ride hundreds of feet up on a tethered hot air balloon if you felt adventurous. Expo under the Stars will be back this year even bigger and better than last year’s event! It will be held on Friday, April 27^th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. You must be an expo exhibitor or belong to a trade association to attend Expo under the Stars!

In addition to being a successful trade show, Construction EXPO2006 was also a successful career fair. Many exhibitors also accepted applications from guests for summer internships, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship positions, and other career opportunities in construction. “The Construction Industry is experiencing a national workforce shortage. Last year, we estimate that over 250 expo guests walked away with something they didn’t walk in with, a job opportunity, no… a career opportunity in construction!” says Caples. “It shows what this industry can do when everyone works together.”

When this year’s Construction Expo2007 comes to life at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Saturday, April 28^thfrom 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., it promises to be one of the biggest, most exciting and entertaining industry events of the year. You will definitely want to plan to bring your friends and family down to Construction Expo2007… Unveiling the Opportunities In Construction!

There is more to come, watch for future press releases.

The AGC Board of Directors and the AGC Staff would like to welcome the following new members to the Association. AGC’s Motto….” It is Good Business to do Business with an AGC Member!”

The AGC Annual Spring Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, April 16, 2007 at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. This is a beautiful, private course right next to the Rancho Bernardo Inn. Registration will begin at 10:00 AM with the 2 player scramble, shot gun start at 12:30.

Most AGC members are aware of this, but please note that the Spring Golf is limited to the first 144 players and “always sells out” fast. We suggest that you sign up early if you really want to play in this tournament.

Casper Company and Rossin Steel are once again sponsoring the golf shirts as the tee prize, and Marks Golia & Finch, LLP have agreed to sponsor the lunch again this year.

We still have hole sponsorships, beverage sponsorships, and contest sponsorships available. Sponsors are vital to the success of AGC events, so please consider putting your company name on one of these marketing opportunities.

Donations for raffle prizes are greatly needed as well! AGC material suppliers….do you have anything in stock that can be used for a raffle prize? Your company name will be on the item and announced during the raffle.

Please note:
***** You can now register on line for classes (this does not include payment on line option yet).
Go to our website at www.agcsd.org and click onto Calendar for either Construction Education Classes or Safety Training.

March
Prevailing Wage in Riverside – Mar 21 THIS WEEK!
WebCM – Mar 27
Deferred Compensation – Mar 28

April
Mechanic’s Lien Law – Apr 4
EM 385-1-1 – Apr 5 & 6
Construction Project Mgmt (Cert Course) – Apr 10 - attached
Managing Construction Risks – Apr 10
Supervisory Training Program – Apr 12
Project Engineering – Apr 24

SAVE THE DATE
NAVFAC CQM – May 8 & 9
Construction Estimating Bootcamp – May 9

March
CPR/First Aid – Mar 21 THIS WEEK!
Scaffolding CPT & Hazard Awareness Training – Mar 23 THIS WEEK!
Scaffolding & Safety Inspection Course 103 – Mar 27, 28 & 29

April
OSHA 10-Hour – Apr 14 SATURDAY attached
Fall Protection – Apr 18
CPR/First Aid – Apr 25
Spanish OSHA 10 Hour – Apr 27

March Meetings – Dates subject to change
March 19- Kick-off meeting for Foundation for Success- 12 PM
March 20- Human Resources Practices Committee– 11:00 AM
March 28 – Government Relations Meeting- 10 AM
March 30 – Electronic Age Committee – 7 AM @ AGC

UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
March 20-22- AGC National Convention- San Antonio, Texas
March 30- Affiliate Open House – at AGC
April 16- AGC 18^th Annual Spring Golf Tournament
April 24 – AGC Mixer Seau’s Restaurant
May 31- June 3- Spring Conference in Napa
November 1 - Build San Diego Awards

AGC President Tom Anderson from Bergelectric and Sr. Vice President John Daley Jr. from Daley Corporation will be in attendance.

Complete the attached reservation form and fax back to 858-558-8444.

San Diego Construction Expo2007… Unveiling the Opportunities In Construction

Why participate in EXPO2007?